EXOTIC
TECHNICAL
CLIMB

Mt Kenya

A climber smiles as the sun hits the rocky slab on the lower reaches of Mount Kenya
Views across alpine moorland vegetation towards Macmillan and Delamere Peaks.
A climber celebrates on the summit of Mount Kenya, cloudless blue skies behind

Mt Kenya is an extinct volcano with jagged peaks rising to 5,199m/17,057ft. It has three main peaks; Batian, Nelion and Lenana Peak. Batian and Nelion are permanently iced with snow and small glaciers, and home to an array of technical alpine climbs.

We offer technical guided ascents on the high peaks of Batian or Nelion as well as an accompanying trek for non-climbing friends and family on Lenana Peak.

Located in central Kenya, just south of the equator, around 150km/95 miles north-northeast of Nairobi, Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano with jagged peaks rising to 5,199m/17,057ft.

The peaks deliver lively contrast to the equatorial terrain on the approach. To take advantage of conditions, we suggest climbing Batian from June to September and Nelion between December and March, with departures being arranged to suit your itinerary. An accompanying trek is available for non-climbing friends and family to the neighbouring Lenana Peak as part of your departures.

The journey through the forest and moorland is for many the highlight of our Mount Kenya Private Expeditions. Here you will be intrigued by the exotic equatorial flora and transition zones from wetland to heather and alpine zones. We intentionally traverse the National Park on our trek to and away from the mountain, to ensure new terrain each day with the ascent of Mount Kenya being the geographical highlight in the middle of the journey.

This expedition features a smorgasbord of African culture and scenery, providing a fabulous excuse to visit this wild continent.

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  • Second highest peak in Africa
  • An exciting pre-climb to Mount Kilimanjaro or an adventure on its own
  • Features a smorgasbord of African culture and scenery

Climbing Ability

Climbing Ability

Advanced

Elevation

Elevation

5,199m/17,057ft

Duration

Duration

10 days

Location

Location

Kenya

MT KENYA ITINERARY
DAY 1

Arrive in Nairobi. Transfer to hotel

DAY 2

Drive to Naro Moru, overnight hotel

DAY 3
Drive through Chogoria National Park Gate, 2-hour trek to Meru Bandas 2,950m/9,680ft
DAY 4

Trek to Lake Ellis 3,600m/11,880ft, camp

DAY 5
Trek to Mintos Camp 4,200m/13,860ft
DAY 6
Lenana Peak Summit Day 4,985m/16,355ft, overnight Austrian Hut 4,700m/15,400ft
DAY 7
Nelion Peak Summit Day 5,188m/17,020m, descend to Austrian Hut
DAY 8

Contingency day, overnight Austrian Hut

DAY 9
Descend to Met Station Hut 3,000m/9,850ft
DAY 10

Descend to Naru Moru Gate, return to Nairobi. Mount Kenya expedition ends, or continue to Kilimanjaro expedition

Map of Mount Kenya

Departures and Pricing

Note: Dates are subject to change due to many factors out of our control
Start/End Pricing Book
Dec - Mar 2025 $20,550 USD $ Book Now
Dec - Mar 2025 $17,500 USD $ Book Now

Looking to continue your trip? Add on an ascent of Kilimanjaro

PREPARE

Fitness

For either route, you need to be in excellent physical condition, and able to move quickly over rough and exposed terrain. On summit day you can expect a 12 hour day.

Technical Experience

Prospective Batian Peak climbers need to be competent following at Grade 5.9, with experience of long technical climbs at least 10 pitches in length. Nelion is slightly easier, with a maximum grade of 5.7, but is still a long and technical route.

Altitude Experience

Climbers will benefit from experience trekking or climbing above 5000m. This will allow you to understand how your body responds to altitude before attempting this technical climb.

The jagged peaks of Mount Kenya rise above the exotic equatorial flora of the surrounding moorlands.
Why Adventure Consultants?

Adventure Consultants is renowned for the quality of its service and strategy applied to high altitude expedition climbing. Our reputation is attributed to meticulous planning and experienced logistics coordination. We have a philosophy of investing in every expedition to offer our climbers the best possible chance of success.

We employ strong and specialised Expedition Leaders and support staff, who are some of the most pre-eminent in the industry. We pride ourselves on operating with small teams, the best back-up and support available. This includes nutritious and ample quantities of food, comfortable facilities, reliable communications systems and the necessary medical back up.

Many of our expedition members come to us because they have seen us in action on a previous trip and decide to opt for our level of service and proven experience. Others return because they know we do our very best to make expeditions safe and successful.

A climber ascends up the rocky technical terrain on Mount Kenya into the clouds.
Inclusions

The Mount Kenya Expedition fee, ex Nairobi, is inclusive and covers the following:

  • Adventure Consultants mountain guide
  • All expedition organisational requirements
  • Airport transfer from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi to the hotel, when arriving/departing on scheduled arrival date
  • Hotel in Nairobi within expedition dates, based on shared rooms (single room supplement available for extra fee) including dinner and breakfast
  • All lodging and food while on the trek/climb
  • Group climbing equipment, food, tents and fuel in Kenya region
  • Transport to and from the National Park
  • Porters, drivers, park fees and climbing permits
Suze on kenya

A must-do for technical rock climbers looking for an exciting climb in an exotic location!

GALLERY
Kenya porter

Porter support on the trekking phase of the expedition means climbers carry only a daypack and arrive at the base of the climb feeling fresh and ready for the summit push!

Kenya from Teleki Lodge

Non-climbing friends and family are welcome to join the expedition accompanying the climbing team to reach the trekking summit Lenana Peak. 

AC CEO Guy Cotter on Mount Kenya

Rest assured knowing that you are climbing with highly skilled, experienced and professional Adventure Consultants mountain guides.

Our Team
Jon Bracey
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IFMGA Mountain & Ski Guide
Kelly McLaren
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Expedition Liaison
A stream flows through alpine vegetation in the moorlands around Mount Kenya.

"Excellent, professional, competent and efficient. Could not have been happier with the whole experience"

Matt Swartz, USA
Kenya guy and plant

"Facilities were great. For the climb everything was perfect. The food was soooo good! All our guides were wonderful, they must be the best! We would absolutely recommend Adventure Consultants to other climbers"

Bird Family, Canada
A bright green alpine plant collects rainwater between it's leaves in Kenya.

"Very cohesive and highly functioning team of guides and carriers which stood out by comparison to others on the mountain. It seems that they are well looked after and happy to work for AC and its local affiliate. This greatly contributes to enhancing the experience for the trekkers. Congrats to all involved at AC for achieving this"

Arthur Inglis, Australia
A classic Serengeti plains view, with a pond reflecting trees and the wide open space beyond.
MORE ADVENTURE AWAITS...
A small bird perches on the neck of a giraffe in the Serengeti National Park, Africa.

You're already in Africa, how about adding on a safari to complete your adventure? Options available in Kenya and Tanzania, talk to our team for more information.

SAFARI
Gorilla Pixabay

Join the ultimate African add on - a Gorilla Trek! Trek the slopes of the Rwandan mountains, home to one of the few remaining troops of the endangered mountain gorilla.

RWANDA
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